Twitter Reaction to U.S., Cuba Normalized Relations

The exchange of American Alan Gross for three Cubans jailed in the U.S. is expected to be the start of a larger thaw in relations between the two nations. NBC News political writer Carrie Dann has more. (Published Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014)

Reaction on Twitter and Facebook to the developing news of a re-established diplomatic relationship between Cuba and the United States was swift and varied.

President Barack Obama outlined the new relationship Wednesday afternoon as Cuban President Raul Casto spoke concurrently via live television.

The newly formed relationship opens economic and travel ties between the U.S. and the communist nation. This historic shift in U.S. policy was encouraged by Pope Francis.

The tensions between the two countries had existed since the Cold War.